Day 1-I installed the chip....no start. Bummer.
Day 2 - I recleaned the contacts on the computer. It starts...it runs. Engine light comes on. Exhaust is dripping and smells. Step on the gas and it almost dies...step hard and it chokes. Remove chip and it runs like a top.
Ideas ? Am I being too easy on the cleaning ? I WANT this to work ! Mike ! any ideas ?


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98 XLT SuperCab 5.4L 4X4
Almost Superchip'd

 

I too got my chip today no start what do I need to look for to see if the jumpers are not connected and I need to send my computer and chip in?How can you tell if the connectors are not cleaned enough? Thanks for any information.

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------------------------- 99 SILVER XLT/REG.CAB/4.2/5SPD/3.55/K&N AIRBOX MOD/Rhino muffler/Westin black nerfs

 

I hope like &%^* that I don't have to get into the jumper stuff.... i don't want to send my "computer" to Florida with my chip...

Maybe you need to clean the contacts more ...

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98 XLT SuperCab 5.4L 4X4
Almost Superchip'd

 

Oregon,
What brand of chip did you use?

Danny Lim

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1999 Ford F-150 Supercab Styleside 2x4
Deep Wedgewood Blue
V6 4.2 SEFI Auto
Dealer released: June 30,1999
Everything is still stock

 

The connector is VERY hard to get clean. Remove the metal cover from the computer so you can clean both sides VERY good.

I had the no start problem too, and sent my computer off to SuperChips. Sent it out Tuesday night, had it back at 9:45am Thursday morning. It's not so bad. Works fine now.


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keith@myf150.com
http://www.myf150.com

1999 F-150 XLT Styleside, Black On Black, SuperCab, Short Bed, 4x4, ORP, 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS

Mods: Extang Sabre Soft Tonneau (For Sale!), DrawTite Class III Hitch, Smittybilt Outland Grill Guard/Brush Guards, KC Daylighters, Custom Dual Exhaust-Straight Out The Back, Airaid FIPK, SuperChips Chip, Bug Deflector, Pace-Edwards Roll-Top Bed Cover on the way!

 

It's a Superchip ...of course.
Think I'll start from scratch again....I'm close...I sorta makes sense that one or two contacts aren't making GOOD contact.

Anybody else experience "close" with superchips ?

------------------
98 XLT SuperCab 5.4L 4X4
Almost Superchip'd

 

Happy happy joy joy !
I took the computer apart and used a magnifying glass(10X) and used dental instruments to carefully scrape the gunk off the contacts and in between. I couldn't believe how much extra gunk came off.
Careful cleaning is the trick (in my case).
Now it runs extremely well !

I've been Chipped ! It works GREAT !

 

Ain't chippin fun! Is not enough too much or too much not enough or is just right right?
Damn I hate cleaning those things. OH but it's WORTH it.

------------------
'99 WHITE F150 XLT FlareSide SC 4.2 Auto 3.55, Superchip,
Black Westin Nerfs, White Prime Design BugShield,
White Vtech Taillight Covers, White Vtech Sidewinders,
'99 White Styleside Body Side Molding, K&N Air Filter
LOTTA SHOW and SOME GO

 

So after installing your chip and it starts and it doesn't act like it is going to die or is choking, can you assume it is in correctly?

 

If it's in...doesn't choke ...assume it is working correctly.
I can feel the power already....cool.
It really makes a difference. You should feel the difference if its working on yours.
The truck just wants to fly...


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98 XLT SuperCab 5.4L 4X4
Superchip'd, 3.73 rear end. Warn Steps.
Next - Airaid PIFK.
Later - Exhaust.
First - House building...

 

My Superchip saga begins...

First, how to get to my computer. It is located on the driver's side kick panel as the website indicates; however, it was covered by a black plastic "holder." After an hour of going slow and being careful, I was able to remove the "holder."

Now how do I get the computer disconnected?!?! I never figured that out.

So, being too stubborn to stop, I cleaned the connector with the computer in place. The first attempt was not good. It did start (after several seconds) but ran lousy and smelled worse - 'Serice Engine Soon' light was on. So I revisited the cleaning process. I would have liked to use dental tools and a magnifying glass, but I used a small knife/file and a flashlight and the green sponge that came w/ the chip. This seems to have done the trick.

I took it for test drive. The first thing I noticed was the better shifting. And it does seem to have better acceleration (based on seat-of-the-pants dyno.) I'll have to wait to see how much MPG improves. I don't think I'll be worrying about the speed limiter.

Now, how do I replace the black plastic "holder?" It does fit back on the computer and I can slide it mostly in place, but... Since the Superchip takes up space, I can't get the screws to line up with the holes!!! Has anyone come across this situation? See below for a description of my truck. It was "born" in May of this year.

A plus is that the "holder" will keep the superchip in place. I just have to figure out how to keep the holder in place.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Later

------------------
Don in Nashville
'99 F-250 SuperDuty SuperCab w/ 8' box, Woodland Green, V10, auto, 4WD ORP,
Towing Pkg. & Mirrors
Additions: Superchip (just installed), Chrome Nerf Bars, LINE-X bedliner, Ventvisor Window deflectors, Bugflector II
Coming Additions: Toolbox, K&N filter, ...

 

Don,

I have a Superduty also, it is difficult to put the cover back over the computer. I just pushed on it and the holes lined back up. It just took a little force, which I was a little hesitant to do. I have had my superchip in since Feb. with no problem.

By the way I had to stand on a ladder, half laying on the fender and in the engine compartment to disconnect the wire harness from the computer. I also had to use a long extension on a 1/4" drive ratchet to remove it.

Doug.

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'99 F-250 Super Duty, 4x4, SC, XLT, 5.4L, 4.10LS gears, Deep Metallic Blue/Med. Graphite, Superchip.

 

DougS,

Thanks, I took a glance into the engine compartment thinking I might be able to see something. I thought there was no way! I guess I didn't look hard enough. I'll look again this evening.

Nice to hear from another SD owner.

Later,

------------------
Don in Nashville
'99 F-250 SuperDuty SuperCab w/ 8' box, Woodland Green, V10, auto, 4WD ORP,
Towing Pkg. & Mirrors
Additions: Superchip (just installed), Chrome Nerf Bars, LINE-X bedliner, Ventvisor Window deflectors, Bugflector II
Coming Additions: Toolbox, K&N filter, ...

 

DougS,

I'll let you know how I do getting the cover back on. It gives me a better feeling knowing that someone has already "forced" the cover back in place.

Thanks,

------------------
Don in Nashville
'99 F-250 SuperDuty SuperCab w/ 8' box, Woodland Green, V10, auto, 4WD ORP,
Towing Pkg. & Mirrors
Additions: Superchip (just installed), Chrome Nerf Bars, LINE-X bedliner, Ventvisor Window deflectors, Bugflector II
Coming Additions: Toolbox, K&N filter, ...

 

Dear Oregon Alien,

I got a real kick out of reading your posts, and then getting your phone calls, thanks for the laughs!

I'm glad to hear that it was just the contacts on the edge connector needing to be thoroughly cleaned, as I thought when we spoke. As a matter of fact, over 98% of all problems on installation are because of the connection not being complete, usually due to the contacts not being scraped enough. That silicone-based coating isn't very visible to the naked eye, until you really start scraping. Superchips just recently started putting a piece of Scotch-Brite pad in with the kit to remove this coating, I've always used a very small straight-blade screwdriver to scrape it off. When you start scraping, then and only then do you really see how thick that coating can be on some vehicles. Some have more coating than others on the contacts of the edge connector. The key is not to remove any metal from the contacts, and you really have to scrape pretty hard & long to do that. The time it takes me to clean the edge connector is maybe 5 minutes, and most of that is spent carefully scraping each contact. It's common to miss one contact, I've done that before, on several occasions, when I was sure that I hadn't!

However, once the connector is properly cleaned, they fire right up, and give the benefits you read about here on F150online.

Welcome to the ranks of the Superchipped!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com